Press releases are great SEO builders. When you distribute one using a press release distribution service like PRWeb (there are other services, but I have a long-time love affair with PRWeb and they know it), it sends your release to dozens of news and niche websites. On each of those pages where your press release lives, there’s a link back to your website. Google thinks your website must be pretty awesome to have so many links from other sites, so it ranks your site higher in search engine results.
Here are my top 10 tips for getting the most out of your press releases:
1. Start with a gripping headline. Headlines are what draw readers in. If yours isn’t engaging and exciting, it’ll get skipped over. But on the other hand, if it’s something that stops you in your tracks, like “Fancy Underwear: Coming to a Mailbox Near You” (a headline I just made up for a pretend online lingerie store), you’ll get the clicks.
Friday, July 29, 2011
10 Tips for a Killer Press Release
How To Create a Job | This American Life - Not only a scam in NEO/CLE but one elsewhere...
It seems like every politician has a plan for putting people back to work. But we and the Planet Money team couldn’t help but wonder…how do you create a job? Can politicians truly create many jobs? Is it possible the whole thing is just well-intentioned hot air?
Thanks @danyoungdxy for turning us all on to this!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
What's working in cities: Createhere in Chattanooga - How they're addressing the leadership problem that CLE has too.
We were doing research on how Chattanooga had turned itself around in recent years and the big question was emerging leadership," McManus says. "Generation after generation has left, so our problem was how to retain our best and brightest. It's the creatives who set trends and create places, so we had to go and create real programs.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Video | Who Owns the Ice House? (Do yourself a favor and enroll in this program.)
Recognizing our nation’s need for greater economic participation at all levels of society, the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program captures and conveys the “mindset” of entrepreneurs who overcame adversity and are now helping lead our economic recovery. The program was created by the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative and Clifton Taulbert’s Building Community Institute.
What is ‘cloud computing’ and how will it change the lives of ordinary consumers? | The Asbury Park Press | APP.com
Getting cloudier
The number of people in the U.S. who use services on the cloud is forecast to skyrocket.
Year Subscribers
2010 46 million
2011 65 million
2012 89 million
2013 116 million
2014 144 million
2015 172 million
2016 196 million
Source: Forrester Research
Video | Who Owns the Ice House? (The best entrepreneurship program I have ever seen, bar none!)
Recognizing our nation’s need for greater economic participation at all levels of society, the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program captures and conveys the “mindset” of entrepreneurs who overcame adversity and are now helping lead our economic recovery. The program was created by the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative and Clifton Taulbert’s Building Community Institute.
Marketing companies that keep up with trends typically find success - Job.com
For example, Knotice, a firm based in Akron, Ohio, has expanded its staff by more than 500 percent over the previous five years. The company recently announced that it will add 23 news jobs over the next couple months by placing a billboard that reads "Grow with us.""Knotice is proud to call northeast Ohio home and we are thrilled to be able to provide job opportunities to talented individuals in the area," said Knotice co-founder and CEO Brian Deagan. "Company growth cannot happen without great people and great customers, and we are thankful to have both."
Great jobs start with a great management team.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
ABC's 20/20's Superhumans: Arms of Steel - Chris Waddell and One Revolution - Help bring them to CLE/NEO this Fall for a week!
Doug is a Board Member of One Revolution and directs their social media outreach. He is working to raise $10K to bring Chris, the documentary and the Nametags program to Cleveland/NEO for a week this Fall. If you would like to help email Doug at: doug@launchtribe.com
Thursday, July 21, 2011
How Paraplegic Athlete Climbs Mountains | Video - ABC News - Be sure to watch this Friday, 10pm EDT, on 20/20
I feel lucky to call Chris a good friend and to serve on the Board of Directors for One Revolution.
Proof it's all about finding/recognizing the right talent to build a team/vision around: Akron online marketing outfit serves notice - Crain's Cleveland Business
The seeds of Knotice were planted in 2001, when marketing firm Craver Marcom Inc. created a technology division designed to help broadband Internet service providers better communicate with their customers. The company hired Mr. Deagan and Bill Landers, who is Knotice's chief technology officer, to help run that division, called eMarketing by CMI. In 2003 they ended up buying it from Craver Marcom, which owner Douglas Craver shut down that same year to go into consulting instead.Mr. Craver also connected the startup to Jonathon Grimm and his father, Richard Grimm, who helped finance the launch. Richard Grimm — who was CEO of Technicare Corp., a medical imaging company that closed its Solon plant in 1986 — remains on Knotice's board of directors. Jonathon Grimm, who previously worked in the investment banking and private equity fields, today is Knotice's president and chief financial officer.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
News: An Akron Company Fits the Billboard - JumpStart Inc.
Knotice has been in Northeast Ohio since late 2003, when Jon Grimm, Brian Deagan, and Bill Landers spun the company out of Craver Marcom. They had an idea for a product that allowed marketers to conduct their key digital marketing functions (web content targeting, email, and mobile marketing) on a single software platform.
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011
'Cut the Rope' for Free Helps GetJar Challenge Google, Apple
Many "free" apps such as the version of Rovio Mobile Oy's "Angry Birds" on GetJar make money for developers from tiny embedded ads, similar to those on Google sites. Such ads will provide less than 10 percent of application revenue that is expected to reach $9 billion this year from handset and Google stores alone, said Stephanie Baghdassarian, an analyst at Gartner Inc. in Paris.
Free Apps
Free applications will account for 86 percent of downloads from the stores of Google and handset makers this year and more than 88 percent in 2015, according to estimates by Gartner.
"We're in favor of free and open systems in every way," Laurs said in the phone interview. "We don't think developers should have to pay a tax on downloads or future commerce through their apps, or accept restrictions."
Other application stores such as Apple's encourage developers to charge for downloads and then take 30 percent of the revenue. While saying this may be attractive for small developers who want help with marketing and revenue collection, Laurs called this a "tax."
Many applications are mobile extensions of existing businesses that operate over the Web, such as airlines, banks, and communications and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, Laurs said.
'Angry Birds'
The free model is suitable for applications linked to existing businesses because the companies can then sell apps and other products to users without worrying about fees, he said. It is also a better model for users who don't have a convenient method to make payments, he said. GetJar gave up on charging for apps in 2006.
Manilla » Manage Your Bills Online for Free - What a brilliant revenue model built around creating value!
Companies spend an average of 75 cents for every piece of mail they send to their customers. This adds up to huge monthly costs and a lot of wasted resources, because most customers would prefer to do without the clutter that comes with mail.
With Manilla, companies can stop printing and sending regular mail. This allows them to connect more directly with you to provide bills, statements and other services.
Overview | LawPivot - What a great model for business legal help with your startup!
LawPivot is a legal Q&A site in which small and medium-sized businesses can receive crowdsourced and confidential legal answers from relevant lawyers, and find the right lawyers for all their needs. In addition, lawyers can better market themselves to businesses by answering questions and creating an online reputation on LawPivot. Our management team consists of the former lead mergers and acquisitions lawyer for Apple Inc. and lawyers who worked at top national law firms. We started LawPivot in order to ease the burden on businesses in finding answers to their legal questions, in an easy and affordable way.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Android Ice Cream Sandwich unveiled, ‘one OS that works everywhere’ | This is my next...
Following Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, and other foods you shouldn’t have at this hour in the day, Google’s properly labeled its upcoming Android iteration. Introducing Ice Cream Sandwich, with an absolutely incredible new logo. (Surprise, surprise!) Google is calling it “the one OS that works everywhere” with new APIs to help with scalability — phones, tablets, and anything else in between. (We’re assuming Google TV eventually, but there’s no direct mention and the slide didn’t show any TVs.) No pictures of the UI in action, but as you’d expect, Google is saying the new Honeycomb design elements will be coming to the phone with the update — “including the holographic user interface, more multitasking, the new launcher and richer widgets.” On stage, we’re watching 3D headtracking via the webcam, called Virtual Camera operator — it figures out who is speaking and focuses on the person. Alas, no word on release date. More pictures after the break!
Android Ice Cream Sandwich unveiled, ‘one OS that works everywhere’ | This is my next...
Following Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, and other foods you shouldn’t have at this hour in the day, Google’s properly labeled its upcoming Android iteration. Introducing Ice Cream Sandwich, with an absolutely incredible new logo. (Surprise, surprise!) Google is calling it “the one OS that works everywhere” with new APIs to help with scalability — phones, tablets, and anything else in between. (We’re assuming Google TV eventually, but there’s no direct mention and the slide didn’t show any TVs.) No pictures of the UI in action, but as you’d expect, Google is saying the new Honeycomb design elements will be coming to the phone with the update — “including the holographic user interface, more multitasking, the new launcher and richer widgets.” On stage, we’re watching 3D headtracking via the webcam, called Virtual Camera operator — it figures out who is speaking and focuses on the person. Alas, no word on release date. More pictures after the break!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Meet the next big programing star: Node.js — Cloud Computing News
Behind the computer science chatter about event-driven access to web servers as opposed to thread-based access and figuring out why JavaScript engines are so hot, here are some basic reasons why Node.js is hot and what it allows programmers to do.
It’s easier. It’s built to run in JavaScript, which has a huge developer base and has a warm and fuzzy community. Never underestimate the power of familiarity and friendliness.
It’s faster. We’re impatient people, as Facebook’s continued efforts to shave microseconds off load times illustrates. So, in addition to all the hardware used to speed up our servers, we’re optimizing our code not just in the application, but at the server to make things load that much faster. Much like Ajax offered a better browsing experience, Node.js offers a better web-serving experience.
It’s scalable. If you’re building a successful consumer-facing business, you’re going to eventually need a lot of servers (or a cloud provider with a lot of servers), and so whatever you plan to run on those has to be able to handle a massively distributed environment. Node.js does, which gives it an edge.
What are you building your startup or next application with? Have you given much thought about how you'll scale your solution? I ask because I see so many applications built on the wrong programming platform because the founder took the word of someone "married" to a particular programming language or given bad advice from some econ dev org. Before they know it they've blown $50K and have nothing to show for it.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Got Twitter? What's Your Influence Score - NYTimes.com
After analyzing 22 million tweets last year, researchers at Hewlett-Packard found that it’s not enough to attract Twitter followers — you must inspire those followers to take action. That could mean persuading them to try Bikram yoga, donate to the Sierra Club or share a recipe for apple pie. In other words, influence is about engagement and motivation, not just racking up legions of followers.
Industry professionals say it’s also important to focus your digital presence on one or two areas of interest. Don’t be a generalist. Most importantly: be passionate, knowledgeable and trustworthy.
The Perk Bubble Is Growing as Tech Booms Again - WSJ.com - "He says creating a space where people feel comfortable spurs innovation."
At Airbnb, which was founded in 2008 and lets people book vacations in other people's homes, institutionalized fun is a philosophy. "You can't take the day too seriously if you're in a meeting with somebody wearing a fake mustache," says Mr. Gebbia, who often participates in the company's Mustache Monday.
He says creating a space where people feel comfortable spurs innovation: "We're going to work hard and play hard."
The plan for Airbnb's new office, a 25,000-square-foot San Francisco facility the company moved into three weeks ago, was inspired by its first one: Mr. Gebbia's apartment. There, employees at the growing company had worked cheek-by-jowl, even in bedrooms and the kitchen. The new office has long, spacious benches that surround three "living rooms" used as conference rooms, modeled after the three most popular houses that the company rents out to travelers on its website.
I REPEAT: He says creating a space where people feel comfortable spurs innovation: "We're going to work hard and play hard."
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Zynga Files for IPO - WSJ.com {"...plans unusual triple-class ownership structure..."}
Zynga plans to create an unusual triple-class ownership structure that will allow its founder and chief executive, Mark Pincus, to keep tight control over voting power after its IPO. The company is offering Class A shares to new investors, but keeping Class B and Class C shares within the control of current owners, including management.
While Class A shareholders will be entitled to one vote per share on company matters, Class B and Class C shares will entitle their bearers to more than one vote per share, though the exact number hasn't yet been outlined by the company.
Mr. Pincus, who named the company after his late American bulldog, stands to reap the greatest fortune from the IPO, with 16% of its class B shares and 100% of its class C shares. The deal is also likely to provide a big boost to Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the storied Silicon Valley venture firm, which holds 11% of Zynga's stock.
Note to self.
The World Is An Internet Startup Now - John Battelle's Searchblog {Is it happening in your world?}
But as I scanned the room last night and watched those friends of mine, I realized that each of them was now involved in an Internet startup in some way or another. I then thought about the rest of my Marin pals, and realized that nearly every one of them is either running or considering running an Internet startup. Only thing is, to them it's not about "starting an Internet company." Instead, it's about innovating in their chosen field. And to do so, they of course are leveraging the Internet as platform. The world is pivoting, and the axis is the industry we've built. This is what we meant when we chose "Web Meets World" for the theme of the 2008 Web 2 Summit, but it's really happening now, at least in my world. I'm curious if it's happening in yours.
Is it happening in your world?
The World Is An Internet Startup Now - John Battelle's Searchblog {One reason locally-focused "closed vs. open" economic development initiatives can't fundamentally keep pace with innovation}
I guess my point is this: The Internet no longer belongs to the young tech genius with a great idea and the means to execute it online. Innovation on the Internet now belongs to the world, and that is perhaps the most exciting thing about this space. It's attracting not just the "next Mark Zuckerberg," but also thousands of super smart innovators from every field imaginable, each of whom brings extraordinary insights and drive to play. And that's another reason I love this industry, because, in the end, it's not a singular business. It now encapsulates the human narrative, writ very large.
Would anyone like to argue against this opinion?
Friday, July 1, 2011
Website picks Cincinnati as most social media-savvy city | Cincinnati.com
Cincinnati won the honors as the most “social media-savvy city in the world” from Mashable.com, a top website for social media, digital and technology news, in a contest the site held to celebrate Social Media Day, which is Thursday.
Cincinnati won in part because of “a very convincing video” submitted by Blair Ward, a 22-year-old student at Northern Kentucky University’s Chase College of Law.
Portfolio Company News - CincyTech garners first exit - Nice win for the JumpStart of Cincinnati
CincyTech has garnered its first exit with the sale of a drug-licensing program from Blue Ash Therapeutics to Forest Laboratories on April 19.CincyTech will receive 10 times its original investment -- $2.5 million – which will be distributed to the partners in Fund I: Fort Washington Capital Partners, the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and the Castellini Foundation. (Ohio Third Frontier also has money in CincyTech’s Fund I but does not receive a payout.)
CincyTech invested $250,000 in Blue Ash Therapeutics in January 2010 after spending a year working to license the drug-development program for azimilide from Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and then Warner Chilcott, finding co-investors and finding a CEO, Greg Flexter (pictured left), to work with former Procter executive and scientist Kevin Malloy (pictured right).
The deal is the first “exit” – or cash out – for CincyTech, which has invested $7 million in 21 companies since May 2007 and has helped attract $140 million in co-investment and follow-on money to these companies.
America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs 2011 - BusinessWeek: Are you one?
Investors are beginning to consider social ventures more seriously. "There's never been more interest from a more diverse group of investors in impact investing than there is now," says Gilbert. In November, a JPMorgan (JPM) research report labeled impact investments as an "emerging asset class" with potential investing profits in the hundreds of billions over the next decade. (The report was produced with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Impact Investing Network.) The bank distinguished impact investments, intended to create social and environmental benefits, from socially responsible investments designed to minimize the harm of business operations. "The impact investment market," the JPMorgan report notes, "is now at a significant turning point as it enters the mainstream."
To meet the entrepreneurs behind the 25 ventures, flip through this slide show.
Are you a Social Entrepreneur? Please share your thoughts and experiences.